Description of the attraction
The Pont Mirabeau was glorified in his poems by the French poet of the early 20th century, Guillaume Apollinaire. This poem from the collection "Alcohol" exists in many translations into different languages of the world.
Under the Mirabeau bridge, there is always a new Seine.
This is our love
For me forever unchanged
This grief is replaced by happiness instantly.
(Translated by Pavel Antokolsky)
Mirabeau connects the Rue Convencion with Rue de Remusa. The fact that a bridge was needed at this place was decided in 1893 by the President of the Republic, Sadi Carnot. The bridge was built according to the design of engineer Paul Rabel and was named after the famous politician, leader of the French revolution, Honore Mirabeau.
The 173 meter long bridge was at that time the longest and highest in Paris. Its pylons are built in the form of ships, each of which is decorated with exquisite allegorical statues by Jean-Antoine Injalbert. The famous French sculptor was promoted to officer of the Legion of Honor on the day the bridge was opened.
The pylon on the right bank of the Seine represents a ship sailing downstream, and the pylon on the left bank represents a ship sailing upstream. On the right bank on the “bow” there is a statue “City of Paris”, holding an ax - one of the symbols of power, and on the “stern” - “Navigation”, representing the Parisian river transport. On the left bank on the "bow" of the merchant ship - "Abundance", and on the "stern" sets the rigging "Commerce". Paris and Abundance look at the Seine, while Navigation and Commerce look at the bridge. On the fence of the bridge above each statue, the coat of arms of Paris is depicted "facing" passers-by.
The Mirabeau bridge was for that time a symbol of progress and industry, it was built using the latest technology - therefore Injalbert offered such allegories. And maybe that's why Apollinaire wrote a poem about Mirabeau - a new, modern bridge, and the problems of a person who stands on it and looks into the water are eternal.
